Va. House moves forward with bill banning health coverage mandate

Virginia’s House of Delegates has given preliminary approval to a bill that would block any forthcoming federal mandate for individuals to purchase private health insurance.  Read Story

N.Y. agents’ group to sue to halt broker compensation regulation

With New York regulators citing consumer protection as the goal of a new broker compensation disclosure rule, a state agents’ organization says protecting its members is the key motivator to stop it from becoming law.  Read Story

Louisiana deems State Farm’s 19% rate hike request ‘unreasonable’

A request by State Farm Fire and Casualty to increase homeowners insurance rates by an average of 19.1% was rejected by Louisiana’s insurance commissioner.  Read Story

Minnesota AG says ‘health discount’ companies exploited residents

Minnesota’s attorney general has filed lawsuits against two Texas-based companies she said exploited thousands of residents who have difficulty finding affordable health insurance by selling them “health discount” plans.  Read Story

D.C. fraud bureau among first users of new nationwide referral system

As insurance companies and state fraud bureaus look to stay proactive in the fight against illegal activity, collaboration is key. With this in mind, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and National Insurance Crime Bureau are merging their online reporting systems to collect data from private insurers and the public nationwide.  Read Story

Indiana funeral home director faces new insurance fraud charges

A Henryville, Ind., funeral home operator, already facing nine felony counts of insurance fraud, was charged with six additional counts in a different county.  Read Story

Philadelphia Insurance Cos. (PHLY) has introduced its new Cyber Security Liability product tailored for small and middle-market customers.  Read Story

Joseph Murphy named commissioner of insurance in Massachusetts

Five months after Nonnie Burnes stepped down to take an academic position, Joseph G. Murphy was named Massachusetts’ next insurance commissioner.  Read Story

United Insurance intends to sell in New Jersey, six other states

United Insurance Holdings Corp. has announced that its property-casualty division is submitting applications to write insurance in seven states, including New Jersey.  Read Story

A.M. Best puts ALICO ratings under review amid possible acquisition

With MetLife’s recent admission of talks with American International Group for its life insurance division, A.M. Best has put the ratings of that unit under review.  Read Story